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Qin L, Song Y, Zhang F, Wang R, Zhou L, Jin S, Chen C, Li C, Wang M, Jiang B, Sun G, Ma C, Gong Y, Li P. CRL4B complex-mediated H2AK119 monoubiquitination restrains Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1488-1502. [PMID: 37024604 PMCID: PMC10244459 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01155-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T helper (Th) cell differentiation is regulated by lineage-specific expression of transcription factors, which is tightly associated with epigenetic modifications, including histone acetylation and methylation. However, the factors regulating histone modifications involved in Th cell differentiation remain largely unknown. We herein demonstrated a critical role of Cullin 4B (CUL4B) in restricting Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation. CUL4B, which is assembled into the CUL4B-RING E3 ligase (CRL4B) complex, participates in various physiological and developmental processes through epigenetic repression of transcription. Depletion of Cul4b in CD4+ T cells enhanced Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation. In vivo, an aggravated Th2 response caused by the absence of CUL4B was observed in a murine asthma model. Mechanistically, the CRL4B complex promoted monoubiquitination at H2AK119 (H2AK119ub1) and polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2)-mediated trimethylation at H3K27 (H3K27me3) at Tbx21 and Maf and consequently repressed their expression during Th cell differentiation. Our study suggests that CRL4B complex-mediated H2AK119ub1 deposition functions to prevent the aberrant expression of Th1 and Th2 lineage-specific genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Qin
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Song
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shiqi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Chaojia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Chunyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Molin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Baichun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Gongping Sun
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Chunhong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yaoqin Gong
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Peishan Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Institutes for Translational Medicine, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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Li T. The functions of polycomb group proteins in T cells. CELL INSIGHT 2022; 1:100048. [PMID: 37193554 PMCID: PMC10120301 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2022.100048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
T cells are involved in many aspects of adaptive immunity, including autoimmunity, anti-tumor activity, and responses to allergenic substances and pathogens. T cells undergo comprehensive epigenome remodeling in response to signals. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a well-studied complex of chromatin regulators, conserved in animals, and function in various biological processes. PcG proteins are divided into two distinct complexes: PRC1 (Polycomb repressive complex 1) and PRC2. PcG is correlated with the regulation of T cell development, phenotypic transformation, and function. In contrast, PcG dysregulation is correlated with pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases and compromised anti-tumor responses. This review discusses recent findings on the involvement of PcG proteins in T cell maturation, differentiation, and activation. In addition, we explore implications in the development of the immune system diseases and cancer immunity, which offers promising targets for various treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, China
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Tumes DJ, Papadopoulos M, Endo Y, Onodera A, Hirahara K, Nakayama T. Epigenetic regulation of T-helper cell differentiation, memory, and plasticity in allergic asthma. Immunol Rev 2018; 278:8-19. [PMID: 28658556 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
An estimated 300 million people currently suffer from asthma, which causes approximately 250 000 deaths a year. Allergen-specific T-helper (Th) cells produce cytokines that induce many of the hallmark features of asthma including airways hyperreactivity, eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and airway remodeling. Cytokine-producing Th subsets including Th1 (IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), Th9 (IL-9), Th17 (IL-17), Th22 (IL-22), and T regulatory (IL-10) cells have all been suggested to play a role in the development of asthma. Th differentiation involves genetic regulation of gene expression through the concerted action of cytokines, transcription factors, and epigenetic regulators. We describe how Th differentiation and plasticity is regulated by epigenetic histone and DNA modifications, with a focus on the regulation of histone methylation by members of the polycomb and trithorax complexes. In addition, we outline environmental influences that could influence epigenetic regulation of Th cells and discuss the potential to regulate Th plasticity and function through drugs targeting the epigenetic machinery. It is also becoming apparent that epigenetic regulation of allergen-specific memory Th cells may be important in the development and persistence of chronic allergies. Finally, we describe how epigenetic modifiers regulate cytokine memory in Th cells and describe recently identified hybrid, plastic, and pathogenic memory Th subsets the context of allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon J Tumes
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Yusuke Endo
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hirahara
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, Chiba, Japan
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Onodera A, Kiuchi M, Kokubo K, Kato M, Ogino T, Horiuchi S, Kanai U, Hirahara K, Nakayama T. Menin Controls the Memory Th2 Cell Function by Maintaining the Epigenetic Integrity of Th2 Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:1153-1162. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1602129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Kumagai J, Hirahara K, Nakayama T. Pathogenic Th cell subsets in chronic inflammatory diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 39:114-23. [PMID: 27212597 DOI: 10.2177/jsci.39.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
CD4(+) T cells play central roles to appropriate protection against pathogens. While, they can also be pathogenic driving inflammatory diseases. Besides the classical model of differentiation of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, various CD4(+) T cell subsets, including Th17, Th9, T follicular helper (Tfh) and T regulatory (Treg) cells, have been recognized recently. In this review, we will focus on how these various CD4(+) T cell subsets contribute to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. We will also discuss various unique subpopulations of T helper cells that have been identified. Recent advancement of the basic immunological research revealed that T helper cells are plastic than we imagined. So, we will focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of the plasticity and heterogeneity of T helper cell subsets. These latest finding regarding T helper cell subsets has pushed us to reconsider the etiology of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases beyond the model based on the conventional Th1/Th2 balance. Toward this end, we put forward another model, "the pathogenic Th population disease induction model", as a possible mechanism for the induction and/or persistence of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Kumagai
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
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Nakayama T, Hirahara K, Onodera A, Endo Y, Hosokawa H, Shinoda K, Tumes DJ, Okamoto Y. Th2 Cells in Health and Disease. Annu Rev Immunol 2016; 35:53-84. [PMID: 27912316 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-051116-052350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Helper T (Th) cell subsets direct immune responses by producing signature cytokines. Th2 cells produce IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which are important in humoral immunity and protection from helminth infection and are central to the pathogenesis of many allergic inflammatory diseases. Molecular analysis of Th2 cell differentiation and maintenance of function has led to recent discoveries that have refined our understanding of Th2 cell biology. Epigenetic regulation of Gata3 expression by chromatin remodeling complexes such as Polycomb and Trithorax is crucial for maintaining Th2 cell identity. In the context of allergic diseases, memory-type pathogenic Th2 cells have been identified in both mice and humans. To better understand these disease-driving cell populations, we have developed a model called the pathogenic Th population disease induction model. The concept of defined subsets of pathogenic Th cells may spur new, effective strategies for treating intractable chronic inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , , .,AMED-CREST, AMED, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hirahara
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , , .,Institute for Global Prominent Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yusuke Endo
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Hiroyuki Hosokawa
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Kenta Shinoda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Damon J Tumes
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , , .,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
| | - Yoshitaka Okamoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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Hirahara K, Nakayama T. CD4+ T-cell subsets in inflammatory diseases: beyond the Th1/Th2 paradigm. Int Immunol 2016; 28:163-71. [PMID: 26874355 PMCID: PMC4889886 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxw006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 288] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4(+)T cells are crucial for directing appropriate immune responses during host defense and for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. In addition to the classical biphasic model of differentiation of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, unexpected increases in the numbers of CD4(+)T-cell subsets, including Th17, Th9, T follicular-helper (Tfh) and T-regulatory (Treg) cells, have been recognized. In the present review, we focus on how these various T-helper cell subsets contribute to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. In particular, we focus on multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and asthma as typical model diseases in which multiple T-helper cell subsets have recently been suggested to play a role. We will also discuss various unique sub-populations of T-helper cells that have been identified. First, we will introduce the heterogeneous T-helper cell subsets, which are classified by their simultaneous expression of multiple key transcription factors. We will also introduce different kinds of memory-type Th2 cells, which are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic type-2 immune-related diseases. Finally, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of the plasticity and heterogeneity of T-helper cell subsets. The latest progress in the study of T-helper cell subsets has forced us to reconsider the etiology of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases beyond the model based on the Th1/Th2 balance. To this end, we propose another model--the pathogenic T-helper population disease-induction model--as a possible mechanism for the induction and/or persistence of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Hirahara
- Department of Advanced Allergology of the Airway, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan AMED-CREST, The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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8
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Abstract
The multiple lineages and differentiation states that constitute the T-cell compartment all derive from a common thymic precursor. These distinct transcriptional states are maintained both in time and after multiple rounds of cell division by the concerted actions of a small set of lineage-defining transcription factors that act in conjunction with a suite of chromatin-modifying enzymes to activate, repress, and fine-tune gene expression. These chromatin modifications collectively provide an epigenetic code that allows the stable and heritable maintenance of the T-cell phenotype. Recently, it has become apparent that the epigenetic code represents a therapeutic target for a variety of immune cell disorders, including lymphoma and acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we review the recent advances in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, particularly as it relates to the T-cell differentiation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys S Allan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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9
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Epigenetics of T cells regulated by Polycomb/Trithorax molecules. Trends Mol Med 2015; 21:330-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Abstract
Differentiation of naïve CD4(+) T cells into effector (Th1, Th2, and Th17) and induced regulatory (iTreg) T cells requires lineage-specifying transcription factors and epigenetic modifications that allow appropriate repression or activation of gene transcription. The epigenetic silencing of cytokine genes is associated with the repressive H3K27 trimethylation mark, mediated by the Ezh2 or Ezh1 methyltransferase components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Here we show that silencing of the Ifng, Gata3, and Il10 loci in naïve CD4(+) T cells is dependent on Ezh2. Naïve CD4(+) T cells lacking Ezh2 were epigenetically primed for overproduction of IFN-γ in Th2 and iTreg and IL-10 in Th2 cells. In addition, deficiency of Ezh2 accelerated effector Th cell death via death receptor-mediated extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, confirmed in vivo for Ezh2-null IFN-γ-producing CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells responding to Listeria monocytogenes infection. These findings demonstrate the key role of PRC2/Ezh2 in differentiation and survival of peripheral T cells and reveal potential immunotherapeutic targets.
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He S, Tong Q, Bishop DK, Zhang Y. Histone methyltransferase and histone methylation in inflammatory T-cell responses. Immunotherapy 2014; 5:989-1004. [PMID: 23998733 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During immune responses, T cells require tightly controlled expression of transcriptional programs to regulate the balance between beneficial and harmful immunity. These transcriptional programs are critical for the lineage specification of effector T cells, the production of effector cytokines and molecules, and the development and maintenance of memory T cells. An emerging theme is that post-translational modification of histones by methylation plays an important role in orchestrating the expression of transcriptional programs in T cells. In this article, we provide a broad overview of histone methylation signatures for effector molecules and transcription factors in T cells, and the functional importance of histone methyltransferases in regulating T-cell immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan He
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5942, USA
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12
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Tumes DJ, Onodera A, Suzuki A, Shinoda K, Endo Y, Iwamura C, Hosokawa H, Koseki H, Tokoyoda K, Suzuki Y, Motohashi S, Nakayama T. The polycomb protein Ezh2 regulates differentiation and plasticity of CD4(+) T helper type 1 and type 2 cells. Immunity 2014; 39:819-32. [PMID: 24238339 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
After antigen encounter by CD4(+) T cells, polarizing cytokines induce the expression of master regulators that control differentiation. Inactivation of the histone methyltransferase Ezh2 was found to specifically enhance T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell differentiation and plasticity. Ezh2 directly bound and facilitated correct expression of Tbx21 and Gata3 in differentiating Th1 and Th2 cells, accompanied by substantial trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone 3 (H3K27me3). In addition, Ezh2 deficiency resulted in spontaneous generation of discrete IFN-γ and Th2 cytokine-producing populations in nonpolarizing cultures, and under these conditions IFN-γ expression was largely dependent on enhanced expression of the transcription factor Eomesodermin. In vivo, loss of Ezh2 caused increased pathology in a model of allergic asthma and resulted in progressive accumulation of memory phenotype Th2 cells. This study establishes a functional link between Ezh2 and transcriptional regulation of lineage-specifying genes in terminally differentiated CD4(+) T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon J Tumes
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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Naito T, Taniuchi I. Roles of repressive epigenetic machinery in lineage decision of T cells. Immunology 2013; 139:151-7. [PMID: 23278842 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Revised: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation and histone modifications are central to epigenetic gene regulation, which has been shown to play a crucial role in development. Epigenetics has often been discussed in the context of the maintenance of cell identity because of the heritable nature of gene expression status. Indeed, crucial roles of the epigenetic machinery in establishment and maintenance of particular lineages during early development have been well documented. However, unexpected observation of a developmental plasticity retained in mature T lymphocytes, in particular in CD4(+) T-cell subsets, by recent studies is accelerating studies that focus on roles of each epigenetic pathway in cell fate decisions of T lymphocytes. Here, we focus on the repressive epigenetic machinery, i.e. DNA methylation, histone deacetylation, H3K9 methylation and Polycomb repressive complexes, and briefly review the studies examining the role of these mechanisms during T-lymphocyte differentiation. We also discuss the current challenges faced when analysing the function of the epigenetic machinery and potential directions to overcome the problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Naito
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, Research Centre for Allergy and Immunology, RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan.
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A novel small compound SH-2251 suppresses Th2 cell-dependent airway inflammation through selective modulation of chromatin status at the Il5 gene locus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61785. [PMID: 23613936 PMCID: PMC3628909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
IL-5 is a key cytokine that plays an important role in the development of pathological conditions in allergic inflammation. Identifying strategies to inhibit IL-5 production is important in order to establish new therapies for treating allergic inflammation. We found that SH-2251, a novel thioamide-related small compound, selectively inhibits the differentiation of IL-5-producing Th2 cells. SH-2251 inhibited the induction of active histone marks at the Il5 gene locus during Th2 cell differentiation. The recruitment of RNA polymerase II, and following expression of the Th2 cell-specific intergenic transcripts around the Il5 gene locus was also inhibited. Furthermore, Th2 cell-dependent airway inflammation in mice was suppressed by the oral administration of SH-2251. Gfi1, a transcriptional repressor, was identified as a downstream target molecule of SH-2251 using a DNA microarray analysis. The Gfi1 expression dramatically decreased in SH-2251-treated Th2 cells, and the SH-2251-mediated inhibition of IL-5-producing Th2 cell differentiation was restored by transduction of Gfi1. Therefore, our study unearthed SH-2251 as a novel therapeutic candidate for allergic inflammation that selectively inhibits active histone marks at the Il5 gene locus.
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Yamashita J, Iwamura C, Mitsumori K, Hosokawa H, Sasaki T, Takahashi M, Tanaka H, Kaneko K, Hanazawa A, Watanabe Y, Shinoda K, Tumes D, Motohashi S, Nakayama T. Murine Schnurri-2 controls natural killer cell function and lymphoma development. Leuk Lymphoma 2011; 53:479-86. [PMID: 21936769 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2011.625099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Schnurri (Shn)-2 is a large zinc finger-containing protein implicated in cell growth, signal transduction and lymphocyte development. Here, we report that Shn-2-deficient (Shn-2(-/-)) mice develop CD3-positive lymphoma spontaneously. In Shn-2(-/-) mice, we observed decreased cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells accompanied by decreased expression of perforin and granzyme-B. In addition, phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 5 was reduced in Shn-2(-/-) NK cells, while phosphorylation of STAT3 and protein expression of nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit were enhanced in Shn-2(-/-) NK cells. Moreover, cell-surface expression of activation molecules such as CD27, CD69 and CD122 were decreased on Shn-2(-/-) NK cells. Thus, Shn-2 is considered to play an important role in the activation and function of NK cells and the development of T cell lymphoma in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Yamashita
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
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Jacob E, Hod-Dvorai R, Ben-Mordechai OL, Boyko Y, Avni O. Dual function of polycomb group proteins in differentiated murine T helper (CD4+) cells. J Mol Signal 2011; 6:5. [PMID: 21624129 PMCID: PMC3127800 DOI: 10.1186/1750-2187-6-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following antigen recognition, naive T helper (Th; CD4+) cells can differentiate toward one of several effector lineages such as Th1 and Th2; each expressing distinctive transcriptional profiles of cytokine genes. These cytokines eventually instruct the strategy of the immune response. In our search for factors that propagate the transcriptional programs of differentiated Th cells, we previously found that Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, which are known as epigenetic regulators that maintain repressive chromatin states, bind differentially the signature cytokine genes. Unexpectedly, their binding to the Ifng (Interferon-g) in Th1 cells and Il4 (Interleukin-4) in Th2 cells, was correlated with transcriptional activation. Therefore, in this study we aimed to determine the functional role of PcG proteins in the regulation of the expression of the signature cytokine genes. METHODS PcG proteins were knocked down in primary and established murine Th cells using transduction of lentiviruses encoding short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) directed to Mel-18, Ezh2, Eed and Ring1A, representative of two different PcG complexes. The chromatin structure and the binding activity of PcG proteins and transcription factors at the Ifng promoter were assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. RESULTS Downregulation of PcG proteins was consistent with their function as positive regulators of the signature cytokine genes in primary and established Th1 and Th2 cells. Moreover, the PcG protein Mel-18 was necessary to recruit the Th1-lineage specifying transcription factor T-bet, and the T cell receptor (TCR)-inducible transcription factor NFAT1 to the Ifng promoter in Th1 cells. Nevertheless, our results suggest that PcG proteins can function also as conventional transcriptional repressors in Th cells of their known target the Hoxa7 gene. CONCLUSIONS Our data support a model whereby the non-differentially expressed PcG proteins are recruited in a Th-lineage specific manner to their target genes to enforce the maintenance of specific transcriptional programs as transcriptional repressors or activators. Although our results suggest a direct effect of PcG proteins in the regulation of cytokine gene expression, indirect functions cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Jacob
- Department of Immunology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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Polycomb group proteins: multi-faceted regulators of somatic stem cells and cancer. Cell Stem Cell 2010; 7:299-313. [PMID: 20804967 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2010.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 526] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2010] [Revised: 07/30/2010] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins are transcriptional repressors that epigenetically modify chromatin and participate in the establishment and maintenance of cell fates. These proteins play important roles in both stem cell self-renewal and in cancer development. Our understanding of their mechanism of action has greatly advanced over the past 10 years, but many unanswered questions remain. In this review, we present the currently available experimental data that connect PcG protein function with some of the key processes which govern somatic stem cell activity. We also highlight recent studies suggesting that a delicate balance in PcG gene dosage is crucial for proper stem cell homeostasis and prevention of cancer stem cell development.
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